2012 Peugeot Partner — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 76,691 MOT tests, the 2012 Peugeot Partner recorded a 77.4% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 25.5% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 10.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 6,247 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.0% in the 0-30k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 15.1-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 13,846 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 8,312 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.3% | 4,830 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.8% | 4,460 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 4,014 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.6% | 3,552 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 6,247 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 5,164 |
| 3 | Joints | 4,433 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 4,134 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 3,236 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 3,141 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 22.9% | 17,547 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.7% | 15,094 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.9% | 14,467 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 11,413 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 5,203 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 4,816 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,087 | 13.0% |
| 30-60k | 13,823 | 12.5% |
| 60-90k | 16,850 | 20.4% |
| 90-120k | 17,012 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 13,382 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 13,479 | 28.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 76,382 | 22.6% |
| Petrol | 306 | 21.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,441 | 20.4% |
| 2022 | 15,938 | 21.5% |
| 2023 | 15,830 | 23.0% |
| 2024 | 14,876 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 13,606 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Partner
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2012 Peugeot Partners pass their MOT?
77.4% of the 76,691 2012 Peugeot Partner MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Peugeot Partner?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2012 Partner get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 76,691 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.